"Own Standards and Tastes Matter"... Behind the Scenes of Casting 10 Choreographers for 'Street World Fighter'

*This content was translated by AI.

Mnet's "Street World Fighter: Directors War" revealed the production team's planning intentions and casting behind-the-scenes details just one week before its premiere.

The first episode of Mnet's "Street World Fighter: Directors War" (hereinafter "SWF-DW"), airing at 10 p.m. on the 18th, depicts an intense "war of works" where choreographers aspiring to become "performance directors" who plan and direct stages strive to have their names solely credited as "director credits." While previous seasons of the "Street" series, such as "Street Woman Fighter" and "Street Man Fighter," focused on the world of dancers on stage, this season places "performance directors" at the forefront.

# "Not Who Dances Better, But Who Creates a Better Work"... Why 'Directors'?

The production team of "SWF-DW" stated, "We believe that through the Mnet Street series so far, we have sufficiently showcased individual dancers' skills and the unique colors of their crews." They added, "This led us to consider what would happen if we entrusted them with an entire stage."

Continuing, they explained, "This time, we wanted to see not who dances better, but who can create a better work and take responsibility for both the process and the outcome." They aimed to fully showcase the role of a 'performance director' who not only creates choreography but also interprets music, sets concepts, arranges movements and characters, connects camera angles with storytelling, and completes a single work.

In particular, in actual settings where choreography production and stage direction take place, choreographers are already active beyond just creating dances, covering various fields. "SWF-DW" plans to bring the choices, judgments, and strategies of these individuals, previously hidden behind completed stages, into the spotlight, presenting a new form of entertainment: a 'war of works' among directors.

# First Individual Competition in the 'Street' Series... The Result of Every Choice Is 'My Work'

The most significant difference from previous series is that competition is held under individual names rather than crew names. "SWF-DW" introduces an individual competition for the first time in the Mnet Street series, closely following how a single choreographer completes a work through specific judgments and strategies.

The production team noted, "Even with the same music, dancers, and conditions, the outcome changes completely depending on who is placed at the center and which scenes receive focus." They added, "Following every moment of these choices from one person's perspective is the biggest differentiator this time."

They further stated, "'SWF-DW' is a war fought with the mind but ultimately proven through bodies and works." They expressed confidence that viewers would experience a different kind of tension and excitement compared to existing dance survival shows, as each choreographer's choices culminate in a single work, requiring them to stake their own names on the final results.

# "It Wasn't About Simply Gathering Famous People"... What Were the Criteria for Recruiting 10 Choreographers?

The lineup of 10 choreographers confirmed for "SWF-DW" is equally dazzling. Including Nine, Lennan, Bada, Baek Gu-young, Baby Joo, Shimizu, In-gyu, Jung Min-jun, Casper, and Hash (listed alphabetically), the cast features choreographers recognized through previous Mnet Street series alongside newly emerging talents. The group includes choreographers who have created performances for representative K-POP artists, key figures in global challenge trends, leaders of concerts and global festivals, and powerhouses in multi-member performances and competitions. Ten world-class choreographers with distinct careers built across different fields have gathered in one place.

The production team clarified their recruitment criteria: "We did not aim to simply gather famous people." They emphasized that while dancing ability is a basic requirement, the most important factor was whether each candidate had clear personal standards and tastes. They further explained, "To direct someone, one must constantly make choices and decisions. We prioritized whether they could collaborate with numerous people without losing their own standards during this process, and whether they could take full responsibility to the end even when their choices led to unexpected results."

The distinct strengths of the 10th choreographers were also a crucial casting criterion. The production team added, "Some excel in choreography creation, others are outstanding at handling large stages, and some have strengths in maximizing artists' appeal." They concluded, "Rather than simply gathering 10 already-established directors, we brought together choreographers who must prove through their works that 'I am this kind of director,' further heightening expectations for the broadcast."

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*This content was translated by AI.